French Onion Soup Recipe

In 1954, what was then called the Food News Department of The New York Times released a pamphlet simply called “Soups,” which had 20 recipes for soups “thick and thin, hot and cold,” including those for minestrone, shrimp bisque and this French onion soup. We’ve updated the recipe adding sherry and wine to layer in more flavors. The bulk of the time is spent on caramelizing the onions, a process that always takes longer than it seems it should. But it’s worth the wait.

French Onion Soup

Over 900 5-star reviews can’t be wrong. Tyler Florence’s French Onion Soup recipe, topped with nutty Gruyere croutons and stuffed with caramelized onions, is the ultimate in cozy French bistro fare.

Prep: 0 15min0

Total: 0 1h10min0

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Serving Size: 1 of 6 servings

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 of 6 servings, calories 558, Fat 29g, Saturated Fat 17g, Carbohydrate 44g, Fiber 3g, Sugar 8g, Protein 25g, Cholesterol 82mg, Sodium 1295mg

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 4 onions, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup red wine, about 1/2 bottle
• 3 heaping tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 quarts beef broth
• 1 baguette, sliced
• 1/2 pound grated Gruyere

Instruction:

1. Melt the stick of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and salt and pepper and cook until the onions are very soft and caramelized, about 25 minutes. Add the wine, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the wine has evaporated and the onions are dry, about 5 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Dust the onions with the flour and give them a stir. Turn the heat down to medium low so the flour doesn’t burn, and cook for 10 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Now add the beef broth, bring the soup back to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
2. When you’re ready to eat, preheat the broiler. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle the slices with the Gruyere and broil until bubbly and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Ladle the soup in bowls and float several of the Gruyere croutons on top.
4. Alternative method: Ladle the soup into bowls, top each with 2 slices of bread and top with cheese. Put the bowls into the oven to toast the bread and melt the cheese.

French Onion Soup

My all-time favorite French Onion Soup recipe — surprisingly easy to make, and full of the best flavor.

Prep: 10min

Total: 1h

Yield: 4

Ingredients:

• 4 pounds yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced (approximately 5-6 large onions)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 6 cups of beef stock (or veggie stock)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
• fine sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper, to taste
• baguette
• grated or sliced cheese (such as Gruyere, Asiago, Swiss, Gouda or Mozzarella)

Instruction:

1. In a large heavy-bottomed stockpot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté until well for about 30 minutes until caramelized (but not burnt), initially stirring every 3-5 minutes, then about once a minute near the end of caramelization to prevent burning*. Add garlic and sauté for 2 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for an additional 1 minute. Stir in the wine to deglaze the pan, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan.
2. Add the stock, Worcestershire, bay leaf, and thyme and stir to combine. Continue to cook until the soup reaches a simmer. Then reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for at least 10 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and sprigs of thyme. Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed.
3. Preheat oven to 400°F. While the soup is simmering, slice the baguette into 1-inch thick pieces and arrange them in single layer on baking sheet. Bake for 6-8 minutes, until the bread is toasted and golden around the edges. Remove and set aside.
4. Switch the oven to the broiler. Once the soup is ready to serve, place your oven-safe bowls on a thick baking sheet. Ladle the soup into each bowl, then top with a baguette slice and your desired amount of cheese (I used about 1/4 cup shredded cheese for each). Place on an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat and broil for 2-4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. (Keep a close eye on them so that they do not burn.) Remove from the oven and serve immediately while the soup is hot and bubbly.

Easy Homemade French Onion Soup